Islamabad, Apr 3: Pakistan's former top cricketer Shahid Afridi on Tuesday stoked a controversy with his tweet sympathising with the 13 militants gunned down by the Indian forces in Kashmir last week.

Afridi appealed the international community to pay heed towards the carnage underway in Kashmir, saying concerted efforts are required to "stop this bloodshed".

Accusing India of committing excesses against the residents of Kashmir, the former Pakistan team captain said the "oppressive regime" is suppressing voices which seek freedom from their rule.

Here is Afridi's controversial tweet:

At least 13 militants were killed by a joint team of the Indian Army, the CRPF and the J&K Police during an encounter in Shopian on Sunday. Among those neutralised, include three militants who were reportedly involved in the killing of Lt Umar Fayaz Parray - the 23-year-old Army officer from the Valley who was abducted and assassinated in May 2017.

Afridi's tweet drew flak from the Indian side as the cricketer went ahead to equate militants with "innocent Kashmiris". Questions are also being raised against his silence over the agent provocateur role played by Pakistan in Kashmir, by logistically and ideologically supporting the armed separatist movement in the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 03, 2018 03:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).